Carl Bean [pictured] was an openly gay soul/disco singer, open enough to release a smash hit called I Was Born This Way, which has become the title of a new film celebrating the life of singer turned activist, who battled the powers that be through the AIDS epidemic. The film features interviews with the likes of Billy Porter and, of course, Lady Gaga, whose anthem Born This Way harks back to that song.
Erik Shoji, captain of the US men’s volleyball team and three-time Olympian has come out as a queer man in a post on Instagram. He says he aims to inspire others as a role model within the volleyball community. He thanked his ‘support system’ and said that he was optimistic for the future. Well done that man!
In another starry coming out, Aubrey Anderson-Emmons, who you will know as Lily, the adopted daughter of the two gay characters, has come out as bisexual. The actress referenced a classic scene from the show to make her announcement in a TikTok-style Instagram video and reflected on her acting journey, her mental health and her new music career.
In Boise, Idaho, someone has organised a Hetero Awesomeness Fest for this weekend to promote family values and heterosexuality – as if those things didn’t get promoted enough. The event follows last year’s wildly successful Heterosexual Awesomeness Month at Old State Saloon… and if you can fill a saloon, that is the benchmark of success. The Balcony, Boise’s gay nightclub hit back with a satirical show called But What About Straight Pride?
